Ruben Gallego Secures Arizona Senate Seat
Ruben Gallego, a US Marine veteran and current representative in the House, has been elected as Arizona’s new US Senator, succeeding Kyrsten Sinema, who chose not to seek reelection following a contentious term.
Arizona’s political landscape has shifted in recent years, with what was once a Republican stronghold now consistently leaning Democratic. Since 2018, Democrats have secured three consecutive Senate victories in the state, and both Senate seats will remain under their control until Mark Kelly’s term concludes in 2028.
Gallego’s victory also represents another electoral setback for Kari Lake, the Republican contender for the Senate seat. Lake previously ran for governor in 2022 but did not concede after her defeat. Her final attempt to challenge the 2022 election results was ultimately dismissed by the Arizona Supreme Court following the 2024 election.
The two candidates held divergent views on several key issues. Gallego supported Proposition 139, aimed at restoring abortion rights in Arizona, while Lake advocated for enforcing a historical ban on abortions, calling on law enforcement to act accordingly. On immigration, Gallego pushed for increased funding to aid law enforcement in processing asylum claims more effectively, whereas Lake focused on constructing a border wall and deporting immigrants on a large scale.
Gallego, whose parents immigrated from Mexico and Colombia, grew up in Chicago and faced personal challenges, including his father’s imprisonment. After a period of adjustment at Harvard University, during which he took a break to enlist in the US Marine Reserves, he served in Iraq in 2005. His unit suffered significant casualties, including the loss of his best friend, leading to his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder upon his return.
He relocated to Arizona to be with his then-girlfriend, whom he later married and divorced; they share a son. His ex-wife, Kate Gallego, currently serves as Phoenix’s mayor. In 2010, Gallego was elected to the Arizona state legislature, where he served alongside Sinema for one term. He made a name for himself in 2014 by winning a challenging congressional primary, unseating a prominent figure in the Phoenix Latino community. He will vacate his safe Democratic congressional seat, which covers diverse neighborhoods in Phoenix, to join the Senate.
During his tenure in the House, Gallego prioritized veterans’ and military issues and intends to continue this advocacy in the Senate.
